CHAPTER TEN
Robert
For sure, my entrance was dramatic. Because the moment Gold Medallion told me that Bridget booked a date with some scumbag on the site, I was on it. It didn’t matter that we were in Pyongyang negotiating with some knuckle-headed North Koreans. It didn’t matter that the security of the entire Asian continent was potentially compromised by the abrupt termination of our talks. I didn’t care. I had to see her.
“But sir,” gasped Daniel, my ever-loyal assistant. “What are we going to tell them? The North Koreans won’t come to the table again. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
I shook my head angrily.
“Just tell them something came up,” was my growl. “Make something up if you have to.”
And just like that I was whisked out of country on my private jet, blazing across the ocean and right to JFK. Because fuck! It’s been at least a month since I’ve seen my girl, and the days have dragged. What the hell was I thinking, leaving Bridget without a word? What guy does that? Sure, I was President of the United States, but that was no excuse. It was wrong, and I had to tell her in person.
So we made a dramatic entrance onto the rooftop of the Ares building in New York. I jumped out of the chopper, ready to scoop Bridget into my arms when suddenly, she fainted on the hot concrete.
“Oh shit!” was my growl, running over to that prone form. “Oh shit, oh shit!”
Because seeing my girl pale and lifeless caused all my alpha male instincts to rev into gear. Immediately, we were back in the chopper, this time with Bridget in my arms. Except we were headed to the nearest hospital for premium private care.
And after some mad scrambling and barked orders, everything slid into place. My brunette had a private room, and I sat by her side, one small hand clasped in my own.
“Please sweetheart,” I begged, my voice rough. “Please wake up.”
There was no sound, the beep of the monitor my only reply. I bowed my head to the hospital bed, desperate for Bridget to revive. Because the doctors had said she was fine, but what if that wasn’t true? What if I’d caused some damage to the beautiful brunette? Why the hell hadn’t I contacted her earlier? I cursed myself, swearing up and down like a madman.
But at that moment, the small hand within my own stirred slightly, and I raised my head swiftly to see Bridget’s lashes fluttering before opening slowly and catching my gaze with hers.
“Robert,” she whispered hoarsely. “You’re here.”
“Hi sweetheart,” I said, pressing the back of her hand to my lips fervently. “Yes, I’m here. I’ll be here for you always.”
She smiled wanly, her lips slightly cracked.
“Let me get you some water,” I rushed, grabbing the pitcher by her bed and pouring a cup before holding the glass to her lips so she could drink.
The brunette smiled and then leaned back against the pillows.
“I’m okay,” she said, voice stronger now. “I’m not sick. It was just a surprise seeing you, that’s all.”
“I know,” I said roughly. “I didn’t mean to make an entrance like that. Well, I did, but it was out of desperation because I love you Bridget, and I had to do something about it. I’m sorry for leaving you alone for so long. There were just so many things to get done, and I know that’s no excuse but ….”
Bridget interrupted gently then.
“It’s okay Robert,” she said softly, her voice still a little raspy. “You’re the leader of the free world. You’re busy, I understand.”
But that wasn’t enough.
“No,” I said fiercely. “You’re more important to me than any of that, and I want you to know it. I left those talks in Pyongyang because of you sweetheart. They told me that you booked a date with another man, and I couldn’t take it.”
Bridget’s eyes were soft and understanding as she took my hand in hers.
“I did,” she acknowledged, “but it never happened. And I only did it in a fit of rage because I found out I was pregnant, and I couldn’t reach you no matter how hard I tried. So it was only under incredible stress that I tried to hire someone else.”
I gulped, eyes bugging out a bit.
“Sweetheart, did you just say what I thought you did?”
Love showed itself in those beautiful brown eyes then, destroying all my barriers.
“I did, Robert. I’m pregnant with your child.”
And to my shame, tears made my eyes hot then, only to spill over and slip down my bronzed cheeks.
“Sweetheart,” I gasped. “I don’t know what to say, except that I’m so happy.”
It sounded more like “Ahh so hapee” through my choked vocal cords, but Bridget understood. She took my hand once more and looked deeply into my eyes.
“Never ever leave me again, do you hear Robert Carter? I am having your baby, and no matter what happens, I need you. We need you, and we will find a way forwards.”
With that, I leaned forwards and kissed her, seizing that soft pout with my lips. My heart raced, the air disappearing from my lungs because I was crazy about this woman, and no one and nothing was going to stop us from being together. Sure, we met under bizarre circumstances ending with a helicopter landing on her company’s rooftop, but that was okay. She was safe with me now, and I would never leave her again. With our foreheads pressed lightly against each other, I looked once more into those caramel pools and spoke the most important words I’ve ever uttered.
“I love you Bridget Martin. And I will never leave you nor the baby again.”
And with that, our love was sealed. Because the beautiful brunette whom I met on-line is the one for me. Not only that, but she is the yin to my yang, the white to my black, and the missing piece that completes my soul. After all, I am the president … and the gorgeous female is my love.